CC News & Rumours

[Muzza]

Originally posted by carsten66
(...)
and Hemelgarn: As for the driver, it's anyone's guess at this time, but one rumor is Jamie Melo...

A pedantic correction: his name is Jaime Melo.

[Muzza]

Oh, and Jaime Melo's given name is pronounced

Zháheemeh

..with the "zh" sounding almost like the "s" in Asia. The áh indicates an open ah, like in car.

[camcartfan]

Originally posted by racinthestreets
If not Vegas, then how about Fontana? Is that a dead deal with the owners of OWRS and California Speedway? I know of the lawsuit with CART, but this is CCWS and OWRS! The Speedway would be missing a good source of income if they choose to be obstinate. The crowds have steadily dwindled since 1999, but they still drew plenty of people.

Fontana was unprofitable. Even if OWRS was good with the Fontana people, it would not fit into the current business plan.

[Muzza]

Hello, Cam,

I would say that Fontana became unprofitable when the IMS decided to kill the race by not promoting it. This was a deliberate action, in the same way and fashion with which TMS treated the Michigan race.

Gentilozzi said in the Long Beach launch that "there is no way we will go back to Fontana", and he looked quite emphatic.

Cheers,


Muzza

[macdaddy]

I can attest to the lack of promotion for MIS. Most of our TV and radio here is from Detroit, and if you didn't know the schedule, you'd never know that there was a race going on. Having said that, the Grand Prix was well-advertised yet still experienced declining attendance numbers.

[racinthestreets]

Gentilozzi said in the Long Beach launch that "there is no way we will go back to Fontana", and he looked quite emphatic.

Well that clears that up! So back to the two remaining TBA's on the schedule, where? Looks like South Africa is next year according to Jimmy, Vegas is not being discuessed as it was earlier, and Fontana has been executed by PG. Are they going to remove the TBA's for this year? Realizing that the LBGP, and the grid for that race is at the forefront at this time the TBA's on the schedule seem destined for the outhouse for the time being.

[indycool]

Racin', it would seem that way......

[GBoehm]

Too bad I liked fontana even though it is an oval, it was the first CART race I attended....

Greg

[Dov]

From Champweb:

Formula Renault to Support Champ Car posted on 03-23 21:36

North American Formula Renault to race in Vancouver

North American Formula Renault announced today that it has expanded its 2004 schedule and will see the series bring its exciting standing starts and close racing to Vancouver to race at the beautiful Concord Pacific Place during the Molson Indy Vancouver event, on the weekend of July 23-5 with the Champ Car World Series.

“This is a fantastic addition to our schedule,” said North American Formula Renault General Manager Brett Ross. “We are excited about the opportunity to be in Vancouver, as the race is a fantastic event that the entire city gets behind. We are looking forward to putting on a great show for the very enthusiastic Canadian race fans.”

The 1.781-mile temporary street course set with Mt. Garibaldi in the background, and the ocean close by, provides a scenic background for the race fans, who attend the event in droves. The track poses a significant challenge for the racers, with a variety of high-and low-speed corners forcing the teams to find the best compromise in their set ups, with the drivers speeding through the course lined with concrete walls, which offer no compromise at all.

The North American Formula Renault Championships are sanctioned by Grand American, and provide a ladder for drivers to develop their talent, with a full in-house open-wheel progression available. The 2004 season will get underway April 8-10 at Phoenix International Raceway.

The Formula Renault V6 Championship is the top rung on the North American Formula Renault Championship ladder, which also includes the North American Formula Renault 1600 Championship and the North American Formula Renault 2000 Championship. The Formula Renault V6 is expected to make its North American competition debut in the latter stages of the North American Formula Renault 2000 season. For more information, visit www.formularenaultna.com.

[zerO]

Originally posted by racinthestreets
If not Vegas, then how about Fontana? Is that a dead deal with the owners of OWRS and California Speedway? I know of the lawsuit with CART, but this is CCWS and OWRS! The Speedway would be missing a good source of income if they choose to be obstinate. The crowds have steadily dwindled since 1999, but they still drew plenty of people.

Mid-Ohio in mid-November would be quite exciting ?!

On the serious note, it's starting to look more and more like we'll see Mid-Ohio in the September slot - S.Africa is in the world of kaka thanks to the fiasco in Phakisa... and if Las Vegas won't come about then the Mexico City race will be the closer ?! - am pretty sure that Gerry Forsythe wouldn't mind: he runs the Mex race and is currently going nowhere with the Vegas one (Wynn's help or not)...

zerO

[racinthestreets]

Mid-Ohio in mid-November would be quite exciting ?!

Studded tires would probably reduce sped zerO!

It is safe to say Las Vegas is out. More time is needed to put on a street race as was being discussed. With cars testing at Fontana, infield course, at least a door remains open for the future.

[Muzza]

Originally posted by racinthestreets
Mid-Ohio in mid-November would be quite exciting ?! (...)With cars testing at Fontana, infield course, at least a door remains open for the future.

racinthestreets,

It would be great to see a race in Fontana - but, as I posted above, Gentilozzi has several times said "there is no way we will go back to Fontana" (and I personally watched him to say that twice - one of them he joked in the lines of "We will not race in Fontana even if wild fires and earthquakes are forbidden by law").

Cheers,

Muzza

[Hegarza]

Hi:

Jimmy mention Cancun as the possible next race for Mexico.

But in the www.reforma.com there a interview wit TG and we was mention how happy he is with adrian fernandez, as well the intention to run in Mexico with a very special note for Cancun.

Hope the 3 amigos can finish the Deal before he does.

In the www.norte.com mention that Michel will carrie the Tecate Logos on his car for 3 important reasons :

- They want to focus on the Mexico Marquet and they races (No IRL)
- They will support Mexican Drives competing on Open Wheel Races and Michel is the No 1 (Adrian is no longer sponsored by Tecate)
- With Cancun as a possibility for 2005 they want to expant their sponsorship to the Champ car Races in Mexico.

Hope I can see 3 races in Mexico. All of them Champ Car Races!!!!

(www.elnorte.com and www.reforma.com required password)

- I stongly suggest that you check your PM's.
- Sent 10 days ago, and I've already asked you to read it.
- MacDaddy.

[carsten66]

Some new rumors floating around:

"Fittipaldi back to Champ Car! Now that Christian Fittipaldi's NASCAR career appears all but over after making a huge mistake signing with the hapless Petty team, we hear he is trying to line-up a ride in Champ Cars again with Walker Racing or Conquest..."

"Servia back in the picture! Oriol Servia is in talks to remain in Champ Cars this season reports Autosport. The Spaniard, who is reported to be talking with Conquest and Walker Racing, said: “It is looking very promising for 18-20 cars to be in Long Beach... "
and it is reported that: "Oriol Servia was in Monterrey, Mexico during the press conference Tuesday. He flew in with Kevin Kalkhoven, Michel Jourdain and Jimmy Vasser in Kalkhoven's plane. He didn't say too much except that his search for a ride was going fine..."

hmm... so also with Wilson on board, it looks not that bad with the car count... I hope Haberfeld and Salo get a ride too.

[Hegarza]

regarding www.reforma.com (password required)

Sorry but is Spanish. Anyway this is the source mention that IRL wants Cancun for 2005!!!!!

Hegarza

Impulsa Adrián estrategias en IRL


El director de la IRL celebró la llegada de Adrián Fernández, dijo que el nivel de competencia crece con la llegada del piloto mexicano

Por Sandra Becerril / enviada
Grupo Reforma

Phoenix, Estados Unidos (23 marzo 2004).- La sorpresiva incorporación de Adrián Fernández a la Indy Racing League a partir del pasado fin de semana en Phoenix le permitirá a la categor�*a contar con la imagen perfecta para trabajar y desarrollar estrategias para alcanzar el mercado hispano según comentó Anton "Tony" George, presidente y director de la IRL.


"Adrián significa que ahora podemos tener una parrilla aun más fuerte como resultado de que él esté corriendo con nosotros. La competencia será también más fuerte con la adición de un nuevo coche y un buen piloto".
Anton 'Tony' George
Director de la IRL





El fundador de la categor�*a consideró un gran acierto para la categor�*a la participación del mexicano por lo cual se mostró contento y satisfecho de contar con Adrián no sólo como dueño de equipo sino también como piloto.

"Estoy muy emocionado. Adrián y yo estuvimos hablando muchas veces desde el otoño del 2001 y después él creó un equipo en la IRL y ha sido miembro de nuestra comunidad como dueño de equipo lo cual era muy bueno, pero tenerlo este fin de semana y por el resto de la temporada es más especial.

"Adrián es un piloto muy talentoso que afortunadamente tenemos ahora en nuestra serie porque él es muy popular en México y ciertamente será un gran activo para desarrollar nuestra iniciativa hispana en la IRL", comentó Tony George entrevistado en su motorhome en el óvalo de Phoenix.

Y es que George jamás imaginó que el co propietario del Fernández Racing podr�*a estar en la IRL en el 2004 sobretodo después de que ambos coincidieron en la Corte de Indianápolis el 28 de enero, el d�*a del proceso final de compra de los activos de la Serie CART. En esa ocasión Adrián apoyó a los ahora dueños de la Champ Car World Series.

El director de la IRL consideró que una de las partes más importantes de la incursión del mexicano es que su categor�*a será seguida en México, un mercado que no hab�*an logrado ganar desde casi el inicio de la serie.

"Adrián significa que ahora podemos tener una parrilla aun más fuerte como resultado de que él esté corriendo con nosotros. La competencia será también más fuerte con la adición de un nuevo coche y un buen piloto.

"Es importante porque ahora nos seguirán en México. creo que eso era algo que nos faltaba en los últimos cinco seis años desde que estuvo Michel (en la Indy 500) perdimos el contacto con el público mexicano", agregó.

Tony George aceptó que México es una sede que le interesa mucho, y más a partir del 2005 el calendario de la IRL incluirá circuitos permanentes y callejeros, pero negó haber entablado conversaciones con promotores de carreras.

Sin embargo, mencionó que una carrera en Cancún podr�*a ser buena opción aunque también preguntó por el óvalo de Puebla.

"Aún no sabemos en este punto (si México contará con una carrera en 2005). Estamos muy interesados en México como mercado y tenemos que ver las oportunidades. Tuvimos pláticas previas acerca de correr un evento en Cancún, pero no hemos visto nada aún concretamente que nos haga creer que es posible.

"En Cancún creo que está contemplado que sea en un circuito callejero. Pero ¿existe un óvalo en Puebla? ¿Tiene ya actividad de carreras? He escuchado que hay una pista ah�*, pero nunca lo he visto, podr�*a ser una posibilidad", concluyó.

[Muzza]

Originally posted by carsten66
Some new rumors floating around:

"Fittipaldi back to Champ Car! Now that Christian Fittipaldi's NASCAR career appears all but over after making a huge mistake signing with the hapless Petty team, we hear he is trying to line-up a ride in Champ Cars again with Walker Racing or Conquest..."

Or... Christian Fittipaldi racing for his uncle. This is not a rumour. Contacts did take place - and Christian would gladly accept the opportunity. The "problem" remains whether there will be a Fittipaldi Racing team or not. Up to you to guess why this is not happening (not a tough question )

Originally posted by carsten66

"Servia back in the picture! Oriol Servia is in talks to remain in Champ Cars this season reports Autosport. The Spaniard, who is reported to be talking with Conquest and Walker Racing, said: “It is looking very promising for 18-20 cars to be in Long Beach... "
and it is reported that: "Oriol Servia was in Monterrey, Mexico during the press conference Tuesday. He flew in with Kevin Kalkhoven, Michel Jourdain and Jimmy Vasser in Kalkhoven's plane. He didn't say too much except that his search for a ride was going fine..."

Ops - this is news to me! Servia had said that he had his eyes set on Formula Nissan...

Originally posted by carsten66

hmm... so also with Wilson on board, it looks not that bad with the car count... I hope Haberfeld and Salo get a ride too.

Haberfeld would be a long shot (regrettably). He is eyeing Brazilian Stock Cars, and I learned from people working in that series that he contacted (or was contacted) by at least two top teams.

[carsten66]

Thinking about Mika Salo, I believe he "only" needs some backing from Nokia for a good ride... the slogan they used is perfect: Connecting people...

[carsten66]

Now champweb reported the Jourdain/Servia rumors:

"Oriol Servia, who was down in Monterrey, Mexico to help promote the Champ Car event, told the Mexican press that he is currently talking to a Champ Car team and is close to getting a ride for the 2004 season. In that, Servia said Michel Jourdain Jr. was in talks with Newman Haas Racing as well as Rusport, so Servia has to wait and see what happens with Jourdain before he knows what the future holds..."

"We are told that Jourdain is still finalizing a deal that would see Tecate on his car at Newman-Haas Racing."

and some news:

"Mi-Jack Conquest Racing will unveil their 2004 Champ Car plans, as well as make a driver announcement at 1 PM tomorrow. It is expected that Justin Wilson will be the driver announcement, who will then go down to Sebring and begin testing for the team."

[racinthestreets]

G R E A T!! I hope the Servia deal is close, reading between the lines it appears the NHR is going to have three cars regardless of Jourdain and RuSport two cars. Why else would Servia have to wait for Jourdain's announcement. It appears that Wilson's annoucment is not going to be the only one coming this week. Rock On CCWS.

[Tenoch]

SO servia is going to be the 18th man, the fact that he has to wait means so much the three amigos are moving the series as it were a chessboard.

As for the article it mentions Tony George is delighted to have such a strong driver with him and acknowledges how much of an important place Mexico is. He also mentions that him and Adrian have been talking about a possible switch since the Autumm of 2001. I guess the jump wasnt as sporatic as we thought.

[Dov]

From Champweb:

Rumor: Hemelgarn 1-Car Team posted on 03-24 19:27

One of the more recent rumors that has been buzzing around lately has Ron Hemelgarn fielding a 1-car Champ Car effort for the 2004 season. It is said that Forsythe Racing is currently preparing the Reynards that American Spirit used, for Hemelgarn.

The driver that has been rumored to be in the car, is Richie Hearn although we have also heard rumblings of Townsend Bell in the seat as well.

With this rumor now out in the open, we suspect that Tony George and Co. will do what it takes to see to it that Hemelgarn does not join Champ Car.

This will be an interesting development, but we suspect a Hemelgarn Racing car will be on the grid for Long Beach.

[macdaddy]

Servia said Michel Jourdain Jr. was in talks with Newman Haas Racing as well as Rusport, so Servia has to wait and see what happens with Jourdain before he knows what the future holds.

I read this as meaning...
If Jourdain gets a ride at N/Haas, Servia can get a ride at RuSport.
If Jourdain gets a ride at RuSport, Servia may be out of luck.
I don't foresee N/Haas running a third car for Servia.

[camcartfan]

I'd love to see Richie back in Champ Car. Even though he was not always competitive, he is a solid driver. Be nice to see the Ralph's colors again too!

[Dov]

I would rather see Townsend Bell get another shot in Champ Cars. If I remember correctly, Hearn said some stupid things about the CCWS when he was driving in the IRL.

[JohnSSC]

ESPN reported yesterday that Al Unser, Jr. is running for Pat Patrick and that they will be located in Walker's shop. Not using all of the space but approximately half.

Wonder which way Walker is going.